Merry-go-round.



H. E. SIPFBRMAN.

MERRY-GO-ROUND. APPLICATION FILEI; MAR.14, 1913 1,121,768; Patented Dec.22,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS C04. PHOTUJITHO WASHINGTON. D C.

H. E. SIPFERMAN.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 14,1913.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

2 SKEETSBHBET 2.

HF NORRIS PETERS CO" PHOTULITHQ. WASHINGTON. I)v C HARVEY E. SIFFER-MAN, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

IEERRY- GO-ROUND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

Application filed March 14, 1913. Serial No. 754.183.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, I'TARVEY E. SIFFER- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Merry-Go Rounds, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to merry-go-rounds, or that class of devices sometimes known as round-abouts or carousels.

Some of the principal objects of my invention consist in providing a device for amusement and recreation, preferably intended for the home .and which can be used either outdoors or indoors with absolute safety, and one which is more especially intended and designed for the use of children. Also to provide a device as just above referred to, in which the motive power is supplied by the passengers. Also to provide a merry-go-round in which can be comfortably seated several children, and one which can be safely and easily operated by a small child without the fear of danger.

This invention consists essentially, referring briefly and in general terms to the structure covering my device; of the very peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts or mechanical elements and the minor details thereof, all of which will hereinafter be fully and specifically described and set forth in the subjoined claim, all in accordance with the statutes in such cases made and provided therefor.

Referring to the accompanying drawings constituting a formal part of this specification, and illustrating one form of construction for carrying out the objects and princi-' ples of my invention, and wherein the same reference letters are utilized to indicate and point out the same parts wherever occurring throughout the several views: Figure l is a top plan view of my merry-go-round; and Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device, partially broken away and in section; but on a slightly enlarged scale from Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a broken away portion of the platform looking at the under side thereof, and showing one of the driving-pinions or small gear wheels, and its supporting connections. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4L,but on a slightly enlarged scale therefrom, and partially in section; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a broken away portion of the base and the toothed disk.

In describing my said invention specifically and referring in detail to the various parts or mechanical features of construction. which in combination make up my merry go-round as pointed out in the drawings and indicated therein by means of the reference characters as aforesaid A refers to a revolving-platform or floor preferably circular in form as herein shown; which is substantially a solid flat body and which is perfectly safe affording more security to the passengers,(generally small children) than when consisting of objectionable bars or frames having seats extending therefrom.

Rising from a revolving-platform A is a hub or sleeve a, radiating from which are the partitions 13 formed with ends 6; said partitions dividing said platform into coinpartments each having located therein a seat G which is securely mounted upon the platform; there, of course, being a compartment and seat for each passenger. Tie-rods '0 may be employed to connect said platform and the hub in any suitable manner, and will act as braces for reinforcing the strength and bracing the device, as fully and clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The base or support D of the device, is preferably in the form of wings or cross pieces (Z,- from which extend standards or uprights 6 provided with rollers c as clearly and fully shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and on which rests and moves the track E of platform A, as will be described hereinafter. Formed rigid and immovable with base D is a toothed disk F,-similar to a masterwheel excepting that it is stationary,and upon which is formed the lower half of the ball-bearing receptacle which receives the balls 7, the upper half f of the ball-bearing receptacle is formed upon the under side of revolving platform Asee Fig. 3. Extending from disk F, and the center of lower half 7' of the ball-bearing receptacle around which rests the balls 7, and passing up through the upper half f of the receptacle,

also said platform and its hub a, is the axle or standard G, around which said platform revolves. In Fig. 3, said axle is shown as broken off, but in practice it is intended to be of a suitable height so that said platform can be readily lifted off, when separating the platform from its base for portation purposes.

storage or trans- If so desired, said axle or standard can be provided in any well known manner, with an extension on which is surmounted an umbrella as a protector or shield from the rain and sun, when the device is placed out doors; or instead of an umbrella, a flag or other means of ornamen tation may be employed.

Located in front of two of the seats C so as to be easily grasped and operated by the passengers seated therein isa vertically disposed hand-lever g, each of which is suitably fulcrumed at h to the platform, and to which is hinged one end of a connecting-rod i, the opposite end of said rod is hinged to another lever is, which works in a slot in said platform, with which it has a fulcrum connection Zas more particularly shown in Fig. 5 :while the lower end of said lever is connected by a swivel hinge Z to an arm m, which has a pivotal connection a with a driving pinion or small gear wheel N, the teeth of which are normally in mesh with the teeth of stationary disk F. The above described parts constituting a compound. or double lever connection. Said driving-pinions each has its central pivot or axle 0 extending from an arm 72 which has sufficient play in a slotted bearing projecting from the revolving-platform, the end of said arm is supported by a pivotal bearing 1 also projecting from said platform. Arm 7) is formed with a slot .9 through which extends a treadle or footlever t which is pivotally connected to the platform and projects up through a slotted opening a therein, +see Fig. 5so the passengers foot can rest against same and operate it when desired. A spring 1) suitable in size and strength has one end connected to said platform and its other end connected to arm p as shown.

It will now be readily understoodfrom the foregoing description and the illustrations; that when the two passengers or operators each grasp their respective hand-lever g and operate it in an ordinary manner, each driving pinion N-through its pivotal connections,will be revolved, and its teeth meshing with the teeth of disk Fsee Figs. 2 and 3said platform A, by means of its ball-bearing receptacle and balls f and its track E passing over the rollers 6 all friction will be over-come and said platform will be rapidly revolved until it gains great speed or velocity. New to avoid all danger of said hand-lever slipping or being jerked out of the passengers or operators hand and injuring said passenger, or when it is Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for ing against the side of said slot will move said arm and pinion N laterally, and spring Q) will expand thus allowing army? and said pinion to move just sufficient until the teeth of said pinion are out of mesh or engagement with the teeth of disk F,see Fig. 2,

and said platform will be revolved by its own momentum alone. By releasing the foot from the pedals t, springs '11 will contract throwing said pinions back to their former and normal positions, and their teeth will again mesh with the teeth of said disk, when the hand-levers can again be grasped and the device operated by the hand as before.

In Fig. 2, I have shown driving-pinions N, in the two diiferent positions both-of them will take when operated by the.hand-' levers alone; or by the pedals or foot-levers alone ;-as heretofore fully described' It will now. be observed that I have produced a device for amusement orrecreation as herein set forth, that is efficient, practical, and one which can be readily operated by an adult or small child with ease and safety. Y

Having now described my merry-goround.-in connection with the. illustrations,as my invention and as new claim 7 The combination in a merry-go-round, of a platform having a sleeve and provided with seats and a track; a support provided with rollers over which the track of said platform moves, a toothed disk carried by said support and an axle which receives said sleeve; an antifrictional member carried by said disk over which said platform moves; compound lever" connections fulcrumed to said platform-and carrying driving-pinions, said levers adapted to be operated by the passengers so as to throw said pinions into or out of engagement with said disk; all substantially as described.

in testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

HARVEY n. SIFFERMAN.

l Vitnesses CLARA M. SCHWARTZ, ALLEN C. MCDONALD.

Commissioner of Patents, 

